What’s New in Italy in 2020: Chocolate Cruise

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Chocoholics who also have a passion for Europe can experience a week of pure bliss this April, as Europe’s premier chocolate festival, Eurochocolate, and Italian cruise operator Costa Cruises are teaming up this spring to offer a cruise dedicated entirely to chocolate. It leaves from Genoa on April 17, 2020, and returns on April 24.

Rather than the ice sculptures ubiquitous on traditional cruises, this one will feature handcrafted chocolate sculptures. Guests can attend master classes and workshops by professional chocolatiers, cooking classes and demonstrations, and of course chocolate tastings and pairings with Italian wines and Mediterranean dishes alongside chocolate cocktails.

The eight-day, seven-night Mediterranean cruise will make its way through the Mediterranean to visit five cities and three countries. At each stop – Genoa, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malta and Catania – passengers can go on planned chocolate-themed excursions, such as to the Barcelona Chocolate Museum. Prices start at 499€ per person for an interior cabin on the Costa Pacifica, a 3,780-person cruise liner. Now if only it could sail on a sea made of chocolate.

– Elaine Murphy

Photo  from Costa Cruises